PESHAWAR, Aug 6: The forest department will plant 5.277 million saplings of different species during the monsoon tree plantation campaign 2005 in the Federally Administered Tribal Areas (Fata).

According to a brochure issued by the department, 5.277 million saplings have been sent to government departments, defence forces, educational institutions, NGOs and farmers in the seven agencies and four Frontier regions in the Fata.

During the campaign, the Fata has been divided into three circles namely Fata-1, Fata-II and Fata-III in which 3.872 million, 364,400 and 709,485 saplings are to be planted, respectively.

At least 26,050 saplings will be planted by farmers, 22,970 through defence forces and 25,423 through NGOs. Similarly educational institutions, general public and department block plantations have been given the target of 22,000, 5,277,085 and 4,946,192 saplings, respectively.

In Fata-I, a total of 159,675 saplings will be distributed in Bajaur agency’s arid areas, including Charmang, Salarzai, Barang, Ghar Sharama Nawagai; Mohmand Agency’s Prang Ghar, Ambar and Yakaghund areas; Khyber Agency’s Gandau, Bunner, Torkham, Shamshai and Landi Kotal areas and Spina Mala, Shamshatoo and Kohai in FR Peshawar.

Likewise, Dogar, Lalmai, Alizai, Madori, Dara Adamkhel and Sheendhand areas will come under plantations in Fata-II and Miranshah, FR Bannu, Toi Kula, Spinkamar, FR Tank and Dera Ismail Khan in Fata-III.

According to the brochure, 1.479 million saplings will be planted along canals and roads besides watershed areas of Daur, Kohistan, Kunhar, Bunair and Unhar.

The strategy of utilizing planting stocks has been changed from the traditional plantation procedure to meet the set targets during the monsoon plantation campaign 2005.

The forest department has identified organizations with high human and funds resources and greater interest and earmarked greater allocation of planting stock to them to meet the timber requirements of the country.

The department is focusing on the local communities through the village developmental committees to carry out most of the plantations and protect the saplings after the monsoon plantation.

The brochure adds that individual farmers will be facilitated for plantations on farmland.

The forest department has also planned a lecture programme, which will be delivered to students by divisional and range forest officers to educate them on the plantation methods and goals.—APP